Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari Expresses Desire To Step Down

Mumbai: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Monday said he has expressed a desire to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be relieved of the post.

He said he would like to spend the remainder of his life in reading, writing and other activities.

Koshyari said during the recent visit of PM to Mumbai, he had conveyed to him his desire to be discharged of all political responsibilities.

"I have always received the love and affection from the Hon'ble prime minister and I hope to receive the same in this regard," a statement from the Raj Bhavan said.

PM Modi was in Mumbai on January 19 to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several infrastructure projects.

"It was an absolute honor and privilege for me to serve as the Rajya Sevak or Rajyapal of a great state like Maharashtra -- the land of saints, social reformers and valiant fighters," Koshyari added.

Controversial statements led to protests

Koshyari's statements on Savitribai Phule and Jyotiba Phule in the past had made headlines and led to controversies. His remark that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an icon of old times had triggered statewide protests.

Koshyari called Shivaji an icon of yesteryears at a university function in Aurangabad on 19 November. Union minister and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari and NCP chief Sharad Pawar were also present at the event along with Koshyari.

Shinde faction also opposed him

He described Babasaheb Ambedkar and Nitin Gadkari as the icons of the new era in the gathering. After this statement, the leaders of the opposition attacked him and started demanding his resignation. The Shinde faction, which formed the government in Maharashtra with the support of the BJP, also opposed Koshyari's statement.

Appointed in September 2019 in a state where the opposition soon came to power, Koshyari has been known for his continuous friction with the government led by Uddhav Thackeray. The government and the Governor had clashed on a number of issues.

Controversial decisions continued

However, Koshyari's controversial decisions continued even after the MVA government was toppled by Eknath Shinde. In September last year, he scrapped the list of 12 MLCs nominated by the MVA after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde wrote to him.